Award-winning knife designer Allen Elishewitz has lived in the Far East and has practiced martial arts over the past 30 years, including Okinawan Te, Thai Boxing, Northern Shaolin and Kali. This training, along with his experience as a Recon Marine, gave Allen the perfect background to design these defensive writing instruments, CRKT Tao Pens.

In Chinese philosophy, Tao means "the way," the fundamental or true nature of the world. And appropriately, these pens reflect the current state of today's world, in which a sudden, unforeseen physical attack can come at any time.

Allen notes, "These pen designs are evolutions of the custom tactical pens I have offered successfully for many years. However, they are very different from the other aggressive-looking pens and kubotans on the market, that is, they do not look threatening, but are useful high-tech writing instruments with a stylish and futuristic design. If the user is threatened or attacked, the pens can be used at three levels of defensive force, depending on the type of threat.

"At the lowest level of engagement, the impact crown on the cap can be used to strike the assailant on the head or hands by raking or thrusting. This provides notice of self defense, and may deter the attacker with minimal injury to him.

"At the second level, the more pointed butt of the pen may be used to thrust or provide a disabling pressure point behind the ears, at the armpit or throat.

"At the third level, if the attack persists, the pen point may be thrust for penetration in soft tissues of the throat, chest or abdomen with potentially lethal results if the assailant does not break off the attack."

The pens are made of 6061 aluminum, precision-machined and hard anodized. The heavy cap is threaded so that it will not pull off in use, and castellated for greater impact. The flutes and grooves on the pen, combined with the pewter-toned stainless steel pocket clip, provide a secure grip.

All Tao models are functional writing instruments which use the Fisher Space Pen ball point cartridge, a pressurized design developed for NASA. It has a tungsten carbide ball point and thixotropic ink which will write in freezing cold, boiling heat, underwater and at any angle—even upside down.

When you can't take a knife or handgun, you can rely on the Tao.

Specifications

Open Overall Length: 5.75"

Weight: 1.7 oz.

Material: 6061 Aluminum

Hard Nylon Case Included

UPC Code: 794023001570

Badges

Aluminum Handles
A solid, lightweight material that can be molded, textured or anodized to provide better grip under extreme conditions.

Customer Reviews

(4 reviews)

4.5 out of 5 stars

5 star

2

4 star

2

3 star

0

2 star

0

1 star

0

Relkcob

Sarasota

Nov 22, 2011

Pros: Materials, Overall Quality

Cons: None

Love it

Best gift, thanks Bro!Looks & feels great, writes nice, very strong.

Taurusmaster

Columbus,Ohio

Dec 27, 2010

Pros: Durability, Materials, Overall Quality

Cons: Refill Quality, None

Columbia River Elishewitz Tao Tactical Pen review

Very nicely made, and with handsome looks.Takes a lot of un-screwing to uncap and re-cap.Mine doesn't write that well, and considering the Fisher refill, I expected more.Definately well built for writing or self-defense.

Knighty

Australia

Sep 13, 2010

Pros: Durability, Refill Quality, Materials, Overall Quality

Cons: None

Tactical Pen

great pen, writes well feels great but too large to fit in your shoulder Polo pen pockets

Automatic Knife Ordering Instructions

Only available to Police and Active Duty Military Personnel

Military or Law Enforcement personnel must verify their employment status. A copy of your identification may be requested by KnifeCenter.com.

Government employees seeking to procure these items in their official capacity must enter the order on their government procurement forms.

18 USC 1716 (G) (2) (1-4): Switchblades knives can be shipped to civilian and armed forces supply or procurement officers and employees of the Federal government ordering or procuring or purchasing such knives in connection with activities in the Federal government; supply or procurement officers in the National Guard, the Air National Guard or militia of the state or territory of the District of Columbia ordering, procuring or purchasing such knives in connections with the activities of such organizations; to supply or procurement officers or employees of the municipal government of the District of Columbia or the government of any state or territory of any county, city or other political subdivision of a state or territory ordering, procuring or purchasing such knives in connection with the activities of such government.

You can verify that you meet these criteria by doing any of the following: